Vortex Companies Acquires CLH & Son to Scale Northeast Infrastructure

Founded in 1979 by Calvin Hunter, CLH & Son has established a deep reputation among municipalities and state transportation departments for its work in sliplining and concrete repair. Under the leadership of CEO Travis Stearns, the Auburn-based firm will now integrate into Vortex Services Northeast. This transition allows the combined entity to leverage Vortex’s proprietary CIPP liners and geopolymer mortars alongside CLH’s existing field capabilities in excavation and drainage improvements.

Vortex CEO Mike Vellano noted that the move is driven by the need to self-perform a wider range of rehabilitation projects in a competitive regional market. By absorbing the Maine contractor’s staff and operational history, Vortex intends to streamline project delivery for infrastructure owners facing aging underground systems. Ram Vela, Chief Strategy Officer at Vortex, emphasized that the acquisition is a calculated step to scale both the size and complexity of the projects the company can pursue throughout the Northeast corridor.